2003 Land Rover Freelander: engine failure

Filed Aug 11, 2011 · Engine · 70,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 land rover freelander. The contact stated that the engine coolant mixed with the oil and the engine seized as a result. The contact also stated that prior to the failure, the oil was changed and there were no signs of any failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the contact was informed that the engine could not be repaired and would need to be replaced. The failure and current mileages were 70,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2011 · Brakes, Engine · 25,731 miles · CA

My land rover freelander has been in to the dealership for coolant smells coming into the cabin 20+ times and has never been repaired. They have replaced external parts, (reservoir tank, hoses and thermostats) and never fixed the problem. After researching the problem while it was still under warranty on my own, I found a complaint about head gasket problems with the k series engine and was told by the dealer that they new nothing about it, and you can't believe everything you read on the internet. Since then I called the ca bureau of automotive repair and had an agent investigate. The dealership offered to send it to another warranty shop which found a bad head gasket. I also called l/r direct to try and find out what they may be able to do for me. They told me they would not replace the engine because it cost $11,000 +, and the replacement engine will fail also. The engine was manufactured incorrectly at the factory. The cylinder sleeves are the wrong alloy and loosen when the engine is hot causing head gasket and eventually total engine failure. Land rover has known about this problem since 2004, technical bulletin #0036 and #0026 issued 06/18/2004. The manufacturer offered me $3500 to buy my car from me, and would not replace the engine. The vehicle only has 54,000 miles on it. This seems to be a safety hazard as well as a health issue from breathing in toxic fumes from the coolant. There have been other incidents with this vehicle which are to many to mention in this letter. Please contact asap about this matter.

Filed Jan 11, 2011 · Engine · 58,000 miles · SC

Tl*the contact owns 2003 land rover freelander. While driving approximately 10 MPH he noticed that the temperature gauge displayed that the vehicle was hot. He pulled over, inspected the vehicle and noticed that the fan was running at a very high rate. The contact had to add anti freeze every other time fuel was added to the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised him to replace the engine because of a well know coolant failure. The local mechanic advised him to continue adding coolant and that if the failure continued to occur the seal could break, mix with the coolant and ruin the engine. The vehicle was purchased used in june 2010. The engine was destroyed when the complaint was filed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 58,000 and the current mileage was 80,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2010 · Engine · 78,000 miles · TX

2003 land rover freeland - began to experience a mysterious loss of coolant. Made multiple trips to local garage - they were unable to locate leak. Checked web site - it's a well-known engine flaw with the freeland that leads to engine failure. I bought this car in 2003 from lr dealer. Technical bulletins were issued back in 2005. Went to dealership yesterday - $8000-$10000 to replace engine if they could get one. Evidently, it's difficult to get engines. Service department knows the problem well - told me my car was junk and lr was well aware. Asked what was done for owners since it was a well known documented design flaw. Nothing! Told me I was lucky it did not happen sooner. Lr is just preying on the innocent public by refusing to deal with what is clearly of their own making.

Filed Sep 10, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · 73,000 miles · NY

I have a landrover freelander 2003. The car needed a new engine at 41,000 miles and right after that transmission seals had to be repaired right after that air. Heating units were replaced now the car is at 73,000 miles and the dealer is telling me that I need a new engine again for the same problem coolant and oil mixing ,which was the problem I had in 2007 when they replaced the engine. The car is at the dealer for the past two weeks and they are refusing to give me a loaner because I have contacted land rover to see what they are going to do about the garbage of a car and they are taking their time resolving the issue.

Filed Aug 5, 2010 · Engine · 110,000 miles · PA

2003 landrover freeland - began to experience a mysterious loss of coolant. Made multiple trips to local garage - they were unable to locate leak. Local garage contacted landrover. Turns out not so mysterious leak. It's a well know engine flaw with the freeland that leads to engine failure. I bought this car in 2007 from lr dealer. Technical bulletins were issued back in 2005. Went to dealership yesterday - $8000-$10000 to replace engine if they could get one. Evidently, it's difficult to get engines. I paid $11600 for the care 2.5 yrs ago. Service department was knows the problem well - told me my car was junk and lr was well aware. Asked what was done for owners since it was a well known documented design flaw. Nothing! Told me I was lucky it did not happen sooner. Heck - there is event a youtube video posted by another lr dealership which shows exactly what the problem is, and what needs to be done to fix it. Lr is just preying on the innocent public by refusing to deal with what is clearly of their own making. Landrover is a -0- integrity corp!!!

Filed Jun 10, 2010 · Airbags, Engine · 97,000 miles · FL

I am having problem with the entire engine system. I spent $1000 repairing the timing belt, yet the timing belt persist with engine failure. Mass airflow meter keep blowing up, I am bought 3 at $325 so far. I have spent another $2000 to get the engine fixed still no solutions. Highlight keeps coming on every time I press the brake light. The car won't speed up check engine lights come on, SRS light is on everything in this car is bad as a result make it real unsafe. Please people try to do something for the people that drive this and hopefully get it off the market.

Filed Jan 8, 2010 · Engine · 59,500 miles · OK

Known defective metal used in engine with this model... Causes engine to overheat and engine failure, coolant loss... Etc. First overheating in my ownership of the car... Busted thermostat 1500.00 repair estimate.

Filed Nov 17, 2009 · Engine · 93,000 miles · TX

Coolant has been leaking into the engine ever since I purchased about 18 months ago. Landrover finally acknowledge the problem but now there is not enough funds on my extended warranty to cover a new engine. For the past 18 months my vehicle has been at the dealership at least half the time. It just seems like a big cover up.

Filed Nov 4, 2009 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NY

After knowing about the coolant problems of this car we took care, had an coolant flush and regularly control that there was enough coolant. When we noticed that the coolant was running low, we topped it off, but this happened again and again without any obvious leaking. The repair facility saw some cracks in the coolant tank so we changed it, a few days later the car did not work at all and hand to be towed. The whole engine had to be change; the explanation was coolant was leaking and mixing with oil. Now, with the new engine there are again warning lights blinking and repair facility told us we could need a new intake manifold. Meanwhile the coolant was low again and we had to change the thermostat because they found a leaking there. There are so many complaints with the coolant and engine to find in the internet and even on this page, so when do they recall the coolant system and engine??

Filed Oct 27, 2009 · Engine · 103,000 miles · MD

Coolant leaks into the engine in the 2003 land rover freelander. Problem started at 25,000 miles and was dismissed by the land rover dealer (frankel land rover- hunt valley) who I bought the car from. I bought it brand new. Eventually at about 60,000 miles they told me I would need a new engine after the warranty expired. I continued to fill the coolant chamber daily and drove it until it completely failed at 103,000 miles while I was driving on the baltimore beltway (695) at 60 MPH. Freelander k-series engines have been known to drop the cylinder liners into the block. Because the liners are steel and the block is alloy, the liners being harder, work their way into the block. This is due to the engine block and cylinder head being composed of different materials that expand at different rates with heat generated during running of the vehicle. This can cause the head gasket to fail. The head gasket/cylinder liner design fault has not been classified as a recall.

Filed Sep 10, 2009 · Brakes, Engine · MI

Well I have had several problems with the landrover. Its a horrible car, I have already replaced the engine twice, along with a faulty brake light that was later recalled. This summer, my car began to smoke and overheat I immediately took it to the shop I was told there had been a crack and the coolant was leaking into my engine. They fixed the vehicle, a week later the crack came back but this time my sixteen year old daughter was driving and it began to smoke leaving her stranded on the freeway. I again took it to the shop and it was fixed they replaced the pipe and fixed the crack. 2 days later the same thing happened she was again stranded on the freeway, and it was taken back to the shop. We were told by our mechanic that I now needed to replace my engine for the third time and it was a complete lemon. I called landrover and they were very rude, and said they could do nothing. I began to read reviews about the vehicle and this apparently has happened to about 85 % of the vehicles. Please recall this car so people know the dangers of this vehicle , and me and the rest of the landrover owners can get justice!